Showing papers on "Extended producer responsibility published in 2013"

Environmental Management of End‐of‐Life Products: Nine Factors of Sustainability in Collaborative Networks

Abstract: The paradigm of the green economy has contributed to raising the attention paid to developing sustainability-oriented strategies for supply chain (SC) management. The responsibility of producers to extend and reverse SCs is a critical and timely topic that captures increasing concerns over the way firms can adapt their business models to interlinking technical, socio-economic and environmental frameworks. This is particularly true when producers are not also reuse/recycle actors. By performing a critical review of the scientific literature on this field, this article develops nine elemental factors that can be considered for assessing the impacts of collaborative strategies as a means to implement extended producer responsibility (EPR) in open-loop SCs. The resulting conceptual framework provides EPR implementation guidance under different market conditions. Inter-organizational relationships are found to present both opportunities and threats that can be profitably managed under a systemic perspective. Implications for management and needs for further research are discussed. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.

Implementing Individual Producer Responsibility for Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment through Improved Financing

Abstract: (EPR) industrial ecology producer responsibility organizations (PROs) recycling Summary Under the European Union (EU) Waste Electrical and Electronics Equipment (WEEE) Directive, producers are responsible for financing the recycling of their products at end of life. A key intention of such extended producer responsibility (EPR) legislation is to provide economic incentives for producers to develop products that are easier to treat and recycle at end of life. Recent research has shown, however, that the implementation of EPR for WEEE has so far failed in this respect. Current WEEE systems calculate their prices according to simple mass-based allocation of costs to producers, based on broad collection categories containing a mixture of dif- ferent product types and brands. This article outlines two alternative approaches, which instead calculate charges for products sold by producers by classifying them according to their eventual end-of-life treatment requirements and cost. Worked examples indicate that these methods provide both effective and efficient frameworks for financing WEEE, poten- tially delivering financial incentives to producers substantial enough to affect their potential profitability and, as a likely consequence, the decisions relating to the design of their prod- ucts. In particular they fulfill three important criteria required by the WEEE Directive: they can financially reward improved design, allocate costs of historic waste proportionately (on the basis of tonnes of new products sold), and provide sufficient financial guarantees against future waste costs and liabilities. They are also relatively practical for implementa- tion because they are based solely on cost allocation and financing. Further research and investigation would be worthwhile to test and verify this approach using real-world data and under various scenarios.

Implementing Extended Producer Responsibility Legislation

Abstract: Summary The goal of this article is to contribute to the understanding of how the multiple, and sometimes conflicting, stakeholder perspectives and prevailing conditions (economic, geographic, etc.) in the implementation locality shape extended producer responsibility (EPR) “on the ground.” We provide an in-depth examination of the implementation dimension of EPR in a specific case study by examining concrete activities at the operational front of the collection and recycling system, and probing the varying stakeholder preferences that have driven a specific system to its status quo. To this end, we conduct a detailed case study of the Washington State EPR implementation for electronic waste. We provide an overview of various stakeholder perspectives and their implications for the attainment of EPR policy objectives in practice. These findings shed light on the intrinsic complexity of EPR implementation. We conclude with recommendations on how to achieve effective and efficient EPR implementation, including improving design incentives, incorporating reuse and refurbishing, expanding product scope, managing downstream material flows, and promoting operational efficiency via fair cost allocation design.

Extended Producer Responsibility in the United States: Full Speed Ahead?

Abstract: Summary Extended producer responsibility (EPR) is a policy approach that requires manufacturers to finance the costs of recycling or safely disposing of products consumers no longer want. This article describes the evolution of EPR policies in the United States, focusing on the role of states as policy actors. For their part, federal lawmakers have not embraced EPR policies except to remove some barriers to state-level initiatives. In the two-decade period from 1991 to 2011, U.S. states enacted more than 70 EPR laws. In addition, manufacturers have implemented voluntary programs to collect and recycle products, but those efforts have proven largely ineffective in capturing significant quantities of waste products. With the help of new coalitions of diverse interest groups, recently states have renewed efforts to establish effective EPR programs, enacting 40 laws in the period 2008–2011. Several state initiatives suggest a more promising future for EPR.

From Legal Transplants to Sustainable Transition: Extended Producer Responsibility in Chinese Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Management

Abstract: Summary Extended producer responsibility (EPR), which assigns significant responsibility to producers to take back their end-of-life products to create incentives for redesign of products with lower life cycle environmental impacts, has come to a crossroad facing a trade-off between the original innovation-oriented regime design and the cost-efficiency challenges in practice. This is particularly true in its implementation in non-Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries as they are trying to transplant the “best practices” from OECD countries, for there is increasing skepticism as to whether EPR is suitable for developing countries at all. As an important producer of electronic products and destination of electronic waste (e-waste) flows in the world, China has been expected to play a vital role in the evolution of global governance based on the idea of EPR, either to create new ways for producers to perform their end-of-life strategies, or to reshape the mode of production and consumption with its fast-growing market. However, the establishment of EPR in China has been long and full of difficulties. This article reviews the status and trends in the establishment of an EPR system for waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) management in China. We use the framework of a multilevel perspective of transition theory in our analysis to characterize the complex interactions among various agents in the evolution of the Chinese system from initial innovation-oriented design to the current efficiency-oriented version. An ongoing research framework for evaluation of the EPR program in China is outlined as the research agenda in coming years.

Producer Responsibility Organizations Development and Operations

Abstract: Summary Extended producer responsibility (EPR) regulations are now in effect in 27 European Union member states and are applicable to up to 100 million tonnes of waste packaging, batteries, automobiles, and electrical and electronic products annually. This article investigates the implementation of EPR through a case study of European Recycling Platform (ERP) UK Ltd., the UK arm of one of the largest producer responsibility organizations (PROs) in Europe, recycling more than 1.5 million tonnes of waste electrical and electronic equipment to date. Previous research is extremely limited on the detailed operations of PROs. This case is presented as an example illustrating typical operational challenges PROs face in implementing EPR, such as how PROs gain an understanding of the waste management infrastructure and legislation in each country, collect sufficient volumes of waste using cost-effective arrangements, and maintain uninterrupted collection, treatment, and recycling services. The case study provides new insights and context on the practical implementation of EPR regulations relevant for both policy makers and researchers.

Comparative Analysis of Extended Producer Responsibility Policy in the United States and Canada

Abstract: Summary This article analyzes the policy choices and programmatic elements of extended producer responsibility (EPR) as implemented in the United States and Canada. The article traces the historical development of EPR in each country and defines common features of EPR in each nation. The U.S. states and the Canadian provinces have assumed the primary role, rather than the federal governments, for enacting producer responsibility requirements in their respective countries. However, the paths taken demonstrate several fundamental differences, including the prevalence of individual versus collective responsibility and the financing mechanisms implemented for EPR. Given the deepening experience with EPR and the breadth of its application to a widening array of products in the United States, the Canadian model for EPR is starting to receive more examination from policy makers in the United States, indicating that the policy and programmatic differences between the two nations may eventually be narrowing. The comparative policy analysis is illustrated through the lens of EPR regulatory efforts for waste electronics, with particular profiles of the programs in the State of Minnesota and Province of Ontario. Both approaches broadly reflect many of the policy considerations and governance and programmatic themes that dominate EPR programs in each country. Finally, the article offers recommendations for collaborative work between the United States and Canada to explore consistency between programs and other complementary strategies to support producer responsibility activities.

The paradox of packaging optimization – a characterization of packaging source reduction in the Netherlands

Abstract: The European Council Directive 94/62/EC for Packaging and Packaging Waste requires that Member States implement packaging waste prevention measures. However, consumption and subsequently packaging waste figures are still growing annually. It suggests that policies to accomplish packaging waste prevention do not suffice, especially since developments are less insightful as these are part of a self-declaring compliance system. This study is aimed at expanding the understanding of packaging source reduction. We collected and evaluated 131 available options implemented in the Netherlands in the period 2005–2010. Lightweighting has been identified as the most frequently applied packaging source reduction method, indicating that the packaging industry prioritizes low-effort and familiar concepts, despite the dichotomy in efficacy.

Design waste mapping: a project life cycle approach

Abstract: An ever-increasing amount of global research on construction waste has been conducted over the past two decades, ranging from ‘soft’ mapping and management, reduction tools and methodologies to ‘hard’ material and recycling technologies. However, the current state of research is largely dominated by endeavours to manage waste that has already been produced. Hence, there is a need for a shift from ‘end-of pipe’ solutions that focus on on-site waste management to a source-based approach that is aimed at ‘life cycle’ analysis. This research engaged a sample population from the major UK architectural and contracting firms through 24 interviews to investigate the underlying origins, causes and sources of waste across all project life cycle stages. Respondents reported that designing out waste has never been the most glamorous end of sustainable design. Moreover, the results reveal that waste generation is affected by a wide practice of not embedding waste reduction in briefing and contractual documents, no bas...

Life cycle indicators for monitoring the environmental performance of European waste management

Abstract: As widely recognised by EU legislation, Life Cycle Thinking (LCT) is a viable approach to support sound waste management choices. In this context, the Institute for Environment and Sustainability (IES) of the European Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC) has lead the development of macro-level, life cycle based waste management indicators to quantify and monitor the potential environmental impacts, benefits, and improvements associated with the management of a number of selected waste streams generated and treated in Europe. The waste management indicators developed make use of a combination of macro statistical waste management data combined with emissions/resource life cycle data for the different elements of the waste treatment chain. Indicators were initially calculated for the entire European Union (EU-27) and for Germany, covering several waste streams and a broad range of environmental impact categories. An indicator developed for a given waste stream captures the potential environmental impact associated with the generation and management of that waste stream. The entire waste management chain is considered, i.e. from generation to final treatment/disposal. Therefore, system boundaries for the selected waste streams include also the treatment or recycling of secondary waste (e.g. bottom ash from the incineration of household waste), and secondary products (e.g. recovered paper), as well as energy recovery. The experiences from the development of these life cycle based waste management indicators suggest that more detailed and quality-assured waste statistics are needed, especially covering the many different treatment operations and options. Also, it would be beneficial if waste statistics had a higher disaggregation level of waste categories, as well as more detailed information about waste composition. A further development of the indicators should include an increased number of waste streams, as well as calculation of the results for all Member States.

Current practice of waste management system in Malaysia: towards sustainable waste management

Abstract: Nowadays, the increasing quantity of municipal solid waste has causes serious environmental problem which requires a better solution in handling the wastes that generate. Construction waste is considered as part of the municipal solid waste. Construction wastes that produce in the construction process contributes a large amount to municipal solid waste. For that reason, a proper way of handling construction wastes is significance in reducing the negative impacts towards the environment, social, and economy. Sustainable waste management is introduced to maintain the balance between the environment, social and economic aspects through several ways such as acts implementation, and techniques in managing waste. Therefore, it is essential to identify current waste management system adopted by industry in order to make adjustment and improvement in moving towards sustainable waste management. This paper highlights the current waste management system implemented in Malaysia and the challenges in applying the concept of sustainability into waste management through reviewing past similar researches. This research has conducted an exploratory interview to six industry practitioners in both private and government sector in Malaysia. The results obtained show the current waste management systems applied in Malaysia and factors that hinder the concept of sustainability into waste management. It allows a major shift in Malaysia waste management by improvise current waste management technology into more sustainable way.

Improving the environmental performance of Bio-Waste management with Life Cycle Thinking (LCT) and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)

Abstract: Globally, many countries worldwide aim at increasing the environmental sustainability of waste management activities. Special attention is devoted to bio-waste, as its improper handling may have severe environmental consequences. In particular, most waste management strategies should encourage diverting bio-waste away from landfills to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and leachate. The European Waste Framework Directive (WFD 2008/98/EC) defines bio-waste as “biodegradable garden and park waste, food and kitchen waste from households, restaurants, caterers and retail premises and comparable waste from food processing plants”. Bio-waste should not be confused with the wider term “biodegradable waste”, which covers also other biodegradable materials such as wood, paper and cardboard. In Europe, landfilling of untreated bio-waste is being progressively reduced to meet the requirements set by the Landfill Directive (1999/31/EC). Other options for bio-waste management are then prioritised (e.g. biological treatment), in line with the so-called waste hierarchy, the legally binding priority order for waste management established by the Waste Framework Directive (2008/98/EC). However, following the waste hierarchy may not always lead to the identification of the most environmentally sound option, and new approaches are thus needed for a more differentiated and science-based support to decision-making for bio-waste management. For this purpose, the Institute for Environment and Sustainability of the Joint Research Centre has developed guidelines that provide environmentally sound support to decision-making and policy-making for bio-waste management using life cycle thinking and life cycle assessment. The methodological approach developed in these guidelines is presented and contextualised in this paper.

Waste management plants and technology for recycling construction and demolition (C&D) waste: state-of-the-art and future challenges

Abstract: Waste arising from construction and demolition activities in civil and structural engineering, so-called C&D waste, represents a major share of total waste generation, showing its high importance from both a waste management and a resource efficiency perspective. Whereas re-use of construction products or elements is rarely practiced, there is an increasing effort to foster C&D waste management plants. The current and future framework for waste management plants is analysed with a focus on techno-economic and environmental life cycle, as well as resource policy aspects. Remaining and upcoming challenges with some C&D waste fractions, as well as future changes in quantity and quality of C&D waste supply and recycled aggregate materials demand, are discussed.

Strategic Analysis of Computer Waste Management Options: Game-Theoretic Approach

Abstract: Computer waste has emerged as a critical issue globally because of the growing quantity of waste and problems arising out of its toxic nature. In India, it is estimated that 480,000 t of electronic waste (e-waste) is generated annually. Computer waste includes plastics and metals that have a good potential for recycling; however, if not managed properly, the additives and chemicals in plastic waste and traces of heavy metals raise concern for human health and the environment. Efficient e-waste management will require a strategy that offers a win-win situation for all the involved stakeholders. This paper uses a game-theoretic approach for analyzing the strategies by identifying the equilibrium points for various scenarios that can help in deciding the incentives and penalties for deriving the self-propelling market-based mechanism for efficient management of e-waste. Results suggest that applying take-back schemes with some incentives to the consumers and penalty to those who do not follow the pre...

Simulation-based optimization of ecological leasing: a step toward extended producer responsibility (EPR).

Abstract: In recent years, due to severe environmental legislations and extended producer responsibility, leasing has been recommended as a strategy for increasing resources productivity and minimizing waste generation during consumption and product end-of-life (EOL) phase. Hence, it is essential to develop a model that can help leasing company for achieving sustainable production management. In this paper, a model is developed which optimizes the environmental and economical impact of product during leasing and its EOL phase from customers and leasing company point of view. To solve the problem, simulation-based optimization approach is investigated and the integrated mathematical and simulation model is developed for incorporating uncertainty during leasing period. Finally a case study with data from industry is used to validate the approach and potential applications of the developed model are illustrated.

Risk based management of chemicals and products in a circular economy at a global scale (risk cycle), extended producer responsibility and EU legislation

Abstract: Background Global waste recycling streams are accompanied by pollutant emission and concentration of hazardous substances within material cycles. For the latter, the term “risk cycle” is introduced. E.g. the illegal or semi-legal export of hazardous wastes like electronic scrap in developing countries for recycling is associated with risks for man and the environment, based on toxic and/or persistent chemical components of the discarded products.

A Statistical Analysis of Prices of Electrical and Electronic Equipment after the Introduction of the WEEE Directive

Abstract: In January 2003, the European Union (EU) issued a directive on e-waste (waste from electrical and electronic equipment; WEEE) to deal with increasing quantities and the included hazardous components. The WEEE Directive is based on the principle of extended producer responsibility, which shifts the responsibility for end of life of products away from municipalities toward producers. This led some researchers to state that, in theory, the costs of waste treatment are passed on to consumers in terms of higher prices. This work addresses two fundamental questions: (1) Did the introduction of the WEEE Directive increase consumer prices of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE)? and (2) how much is this price increase? We carry out, for the first time in the literature, a quantitative research on price variation of the vast majority of EEE sold in the EU after the introduction of producers� financial responsibility. The panel data include 972 price level indices, namely, six categories of EEE for 27 member states for six years. The main result is that the average variation of the prices for each category of EEE investigated actually increased and the variation was between 0.71% and 3.88%, depending on the specific category of EEE. The average increase of 2.19% is in line with the previous studies that estimated the impact of the WEEE Directive up to a 3% increase of the product price. The t-test performed on the data shows a good statistical significance, which strengthens the relevance of the results. Finally, future directions for research are included.

Business-to-Business Information Technology User Practices at End of Life in the United Kingdom, Germany, and France

Abstract: Summary Business-to-business (B2B) electronics account for a significant volume of the electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) put on the market. Very little B2B waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) is reported as collected in the European Union (EU) in compliance with the WEEE Directive, which uses the policy principle of extended producer responsibility (EPR) to ensure that WEEE is managed correctly. This presents a barrier to parties looking for access to the waste. Company practice dictates the channels into which B2B WEEE flows following primary use. This article presents a study that engaged with company actors directly to get a better understanding of business information technology (IT) EEE asset management. Data were collected to determine the barriers current practice could present to the collection of B2B IT EEE at end of life and the implications of these for the development of policies and strategies for EPR. A questionnaire was developed and data were gathered from organizations in three EU countries—the United Kingdom, Germany, and France—stratified by size. Some notable findings were that there are several routes by which end-of-life B2B WEEE can flow. The recycling and refurbishment of B2B IT units at end of use was shown to be commonplace, but it is likely that these units enter streams where they are not reported. The actors disposing of their units did not have information on the management or disposition of these streams. It is concluded that to achieve the goals of EPR for B2B IT WEEE, the networks and the operational practices of these streams need to be better understood when developing strategies and policies.

Analyzing Reverse Logistics In The Brazilian National Waste Management Policy (PNRS)

Abstract: In the last 20 years, the Brazilian population has increased by 30%, while the amount of waste has risen by 90%. This demographic expansion associated with an increasing consumption of disposable products has switched the type (quality and quantity) of waste produced. Currently, many municipalities are facing difficulties in finding appropriate disposal sites. As a result, waste management has become a national priority. In 2010, after been on hold in the Nation’s Congress for decades, the National Waste Management Policy (PNRS) was approved through formal legislation (Law 12.305/10). The PNRS represented a major political and judicial improvement, but, still, represents a major economical and operational challenge. The strategies for improving waste management in Brazil should include instruments provided in the PNRS. Extended product responsibility, which includes all supply chain stakeholders, and reverse logistics are two main instruments incorporated in PNRS. A postconsumption reverse logistics program is the most common strategy to make operational the extended producer responsibility concept. Usually, a reverse logistics program deals with a specific range of products requiring by legal enforcement to be: recycled; reused; remanufactured; finally disposed of; treated; or incinerated. An efficient reverse logistics program should stimulate producers to internalize all social and environmental costs, from cradle to grave, in their decision making process. Thus, it is necessary to analyze the costs and benefits of PNRS instruments in order to balance benefits (reducing social and environmental damages) and costs (keeping reverse logistics chain operational). Legislation is the most common instrument to change market behavior in order Sustainable Development and Planning VI 649 www.witpress.com, ISSN 1743-3541 (on-line) WIT Transactions on Ecology and The Environment, Vol 173, © 2013 WIT Press doi:10.2495/SDP130541 to improve efficiency in returning numerous products. Even tough, reverse logistics has been successfully introduced in several national public policies; the instrument is still pending a further boost in the Brazilian regulatory system. This study discusses the strategies included in the PNRS.

Canadian Extended Producer Responsibility Programs

Abstract: Canada’s first extended producer responsibility (EPR) program was launched in the Province of British Columbia in 1994 with a regulation mandating producer responsibility for the take-back of waste paint and paint containers. From that beginning almost 20 years ago, EPR has matured into a pollution prevention and environmental life cycle management policy of choice across the country. The provincial, territorial and federal governments have all embraced EPR and this commitment